Teofimo Lopez Sr. Wants The Devin Haney Fight In Due Time
On August 13, Teofimo “Take Over” Lopez (16-1, 12 KO’s) will make his long talked about move to the super lightweight division. With his entrance into the new danger zone, it will officially mark the death knell for a meaningful bout against undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (28-0, 15 KO’s) at lightweight.
It would’ve been a great fight merely because the two fighters were clearly at the top of the talent pool. It was a better fight because they both held titles. Yet, it was a missed shot at the history books because the winner would’ve been crowned undisputed. Despite all these things, during the height of the buzz for this would-be fight, Lopez bizarrely said he wouldn’t fight Haney for at least another three years…or better.
Ironically, Take Over made these statements just a couple weeks before being upset by Australian boxer George Kambosos in his own Madison Square Garden backyard. In fact, Lopez’ August 13 duel with Pedro Campa will be his first since being sent packing out the division by Kambosos.
CHANGE THE SONG PLEASE!
Thankfully for prideful Americans, and Devin Haney fans, The Dream traveled to Australia and took the belts back from Kambosos in his own backyard. In doing so, Haney embodied the true notion of being a ‘world’ champion. This is because by adding the Aussies titles to his own WBC strap, he became an undisputed champion outside of his native nation.
Guess in the Lopez’s case the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree though. Even after collecting all four belts on the road, along with the Ring belt and even the farcical WBC Franchise title that the Lopez’ so deified, it’s still not enough. Like father, like son. In a recent interview with Fight Hype, Take Over’s father and chief second Teofimo Lopez Sr. explained how a match pitting Haney versus his son is still a few years away.
“That fight [with Haney] has to happen! Depending on who still stays there and like I said it before let’s see who’s around five years from now! I know my son is going to be around not even that far, let’s see who’s around three years from now. So it’s not too far off.”
While this is disappointing news for fight fans, it’s far from a new script. So we all have had good practice over the last few years of hearing Team Lopez say they’ll fight Haney in a few years.
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By: Bakari Simpson
